Absorbent article with fractionation member

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article for the management of body exudates having in combination, an acquisition component and a storage component. The acquisition component, interposed between the source of body exudates and the fluid storage component, has a member for fractionating body exudates emanating from the source and for storing the solid portion of the body exudates. The acquisition component has a plurality of pores in the size range of red blood cells, suspended solids, and other body exudates which traps, and stores the solid portion of body exudates and allows the fluid portion to continue flowing through the acquisition component and into the storage component. The storage component is for storing the fluid portion of the body exudates.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present-on relates generally to an absorbent article for storingbody exudates and more specifically to an absorbent structure thatacquires and stores body exudates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles for acquisition and storage of bodyexudates (e.g., urine, feces, blood, vaginal discharge, saliva, etc.)are well known in the prior art and have been provided for many uses invarious configurations. Typical examples include disposable diapers orincontinence pads which are intended to absorb and retain urine andfeces; wound dressings (e.g. bandages) which are intended to absorb andretain blood; and catamenial pads which are intended to absorb andretain menstrual and other vaginal discharges, and prevent body andclothing soiling. In each, the disposable absorbent article absorbs andretains body exudates, thereby preventing the exudates from soiling orotherwise contaminating the area (e.g. the clothes or the wearer) aroundthe body exudates discharge.

In general, disposable absorbent articles have the same basic structure:an absorbent structure, which is encased between a topsheet, which is incontact with the wearer, and a backsheet. The prior art teaches numerousvariations of these elements, with each variation being directed toimproving one or more specific characteristics of the absorbent article.

A catamenial product (e.g. a sanitary napkin, a pantiliner or a tampon)is distinguishable from other types of absorbent articles in that itsmaterials must absorb, distribute, store, and retain vaginal discharges(e.g. menstrual and other vaginal discharges), which are distinguishablefrom other types of discharged body exudates, such as urine, which istypically absorbed by a diaper. Urine is characterized as a Newtonianfluid and has a relatively constant viscosity. A vaginal discharge, onthe other hand, is a complex and heterogeneous suspension that ischaracterized as a non-Newtonian fluid (e.g., a fluid that generallydoes not maintain a constant viscosity throughout and does not followtypical flow patterns because of the high solid content). As will beappreciated, menstrual discharges typically comprise a non-solid orfluid portion, having water, and a solid portion having variouselements, such as body tissue fragments, protein aggregates, lipidsetc., each of which contribute to the non-Newtonian fluidcharacteristic. The composition of menstrual discharge varies from womanto woman, and even from day to day with an individual woman.

There are numerous absorbent articles in the prior art with storagecomponents that are interposed between a backsheet and an acquisitioncomponent. The acquisition component of these articles typically is amaterial configured so that it quickly absorbs and wicks exudates awayfrom the wearer and topsheet, and toward and into the storage component.Such articles also are configured so that exudates do not flow backtoward the wearer reducing the possibility of "rewetting". This providescomfort for the wearer of the article since the skin of the wearerremains relatively dry. The storage component is a material provided inabsorbent articles to absorb exudates from the absorbent component, andthat can store and redistribute the absorbed exudates.

Several materials have been developed, especially in the area ofdisposable diapers, which provide enhanced storage capacity andredistribution properties (e.g. wicking). Examples of such materialsinclude small pore polymeric foam materials, which have a storagecapacity of about five (5) times the storage capacity of fibermaterials, and about 30 to 50 times its own weight. Unfortunately, thesepolymeric foam materials have not previously been viable in catmenialproducts since some of the open spaces are similarly sized to red bloodcells, and suspended solids, which are typically found in vaginaldischarges. The solid portion of the vaginal discharge tends to block orclog the open spaces which, in turn, limits storage capacity and theredistribution capability therein.

Another material with enhanced storage capacity is a superabsorbinghydrogel material dispersed in fiber matrix which has storage capacityfor artificial menstrual fluid from about 8 to about 16 times greaterthan its own weight, and from about 25 to about 30 times it own weightfor urine. Also, the material has a storage capacity from about 2 toabout 3 times greater than fiber materials. Like the polymeric foammaterials discussed above, superabsorbing polymers dispersed in a fibermatrix were not as viable in catamenial products since the solid portionin vaginal discharge can plate the outer surface of superabsorberparticles, which reduces their capacity to absorb and store thedischarge. This problem is not unique to polymeric foam materials orsuperabsorbing hydrogel material in a sheet form or dispersed in fibermatrix, and can exist with any absorbent material having a highconcentration of small pores or openings. Examples of such materialsinclude other foams, superabsorbers, sheeted superabsorbers, dense fibermaterials and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbentstructure that allows the use of highly effective storage materials inabsorbent structures.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an absorbentstructure with an extended useful life.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an absorbentstructure with increased storage capacity.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anabsorbent structure having improved surface cleanliness to have a goodvisual appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an absorbentstructure having improved protection against soiling in the area aroundthe area of exudate discharge.

Additional objects, advantages and other features of the presentinvention will be set forth and will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon examination of the following, or may be learned withpractice of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with thepurpose herein, the present invention comprises an absorbent article forthe management of body exudates having, in combination, a storagecomponent and an acquisition component. The storage component is forstoring the fluid portion of body exudates. The acquisition component,interposed between the source of body exudates and the storagecomponent, is for filtering and storing the solid portion of theexudates. The acquisition component has a plurality of pores in the sizerange of red blood cells, suspended solids, and other body exudateswhich traps the solid portion of the body exudate and allows the fluidportion to continue flowing through the acquisition component and intothe storage component.

In a preferred embodiment, the acquisition component can include curledcellulosic fibers being mechanically altered from an unrefined state toa refined state, and the storage component can include either a flexiblehydrophilic polymeric foam material or a superabsorbing hydrogelmaterial disposed in a fiber matrix.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, theabsorbent article comprises a topsheet or can comprise a topsheet and abacksheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that thesame will be better understood from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway elevated perspective view of an exemplary absorbentarticle made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1taken along line 2--2 thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention formed with flexible side panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing figures in detail, where like numeralsindicate the like element throughout the views, there is shown apreferred embodiment of the present invention as it would be used in adisposable absorbent article, and in particular, in a catmenial pad.

As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to articles whichabsorb and contain body exudates. More specifically, the term refers toarticles which are placed against or in close proximity to the body ofthe wearer to absorb and retain various exudates, including thosedischarged from the body. It should be understood, however, that thepresent invention is also applicable for use in other disposable"absorbent articles" such as pantiliners, diapers, incontinence pads,bandages, wound dressings, bed pads, tampons and the like.

As used herein, the term "disposable absorbent article" refers toarticles which are intended to absorb and contain exudates, such asthose discharged from the body (e.g., blood, vaginal discharges, urine,and the like), and further, which articles are intended to be discardedafter a single use. (e.g., they are not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored and then reused). A catamenial pad (e.g., a sanitarynapkin or pantiliner) is a disposable absorbent article worn by femalesexternal to the urogenital region and which is intended to absorb andcontain menstrual fluids and other vaginal discharges.

As used herein, the term "solid portion of the body exudate" refers toparticles having an effective radii of greater than about 5 μm.

As best seen in FIG. 2, however, the absorbent article 10 has twosurfaces, a body facing surface 10a and a garment facing surface 10b.The body facing surface 10a is intended to be worn adjacent to the bodyof the wearer whereas the garment facing surface 10b is on the oppositeside of article 10 and is intended to be placed adjacent to theundergarment of the wearer when the article 10 is worn.

The sanitary napkin should not be bulky to wear and should be sized andconfigured to fit under clothing to be less noticeable. As such, napkinscan be of any thinness, and would generally have a thinness (i.e.,caliper) of less than about 10 mm, with some having a thinness of lessthan about 7 min. The surface area of the body facing surface 10a shouldbe at least about 100 cm² to prevent discharged exudates from missingthe absorbent article 10 and soiling clothing or the body of the wearer.The absorbent article 10 should also preferably be relatively flexibleso that it readily conforms to the crotch area of the undergarment ofthe wearer and the anatomy of the wearer, and that it is comfortable tothe wearer.

Basically, the absorbent article 10 can include a fluid permeabletopsheet 12, a backsheet 14 (or "barrier means"), and an absorbentstructure 20 which includes an acquisition component 22 in closeproximity to the topsheet 12 and a storage component 24 interposedbetween the backsheet 14 and the acquisition component 22. The outersurface of backsheet 14 can double as the garment facing surface 10b,and can be in close proximity to the use's undergarment. The outersurface of topsheet 12 can double as the body facing surface 10a, and isplaced in close proximity to the users body when the absorbent article10 is used.

The topsheet 12 and backsheet 14 are preferably affixed to each other inany manner and any configuration as is known in the industry. Typicalexamples include using glue, crimping or heat seals which extend aroundthe periphery of both topsheet 12 and backsheet 14.

In a preferred manner and configuration of affixing the topsheet 12 andbacksheet 14 together, both are manufactured having a shape similar to,but generally larger than, the absorbent structure 20, as seen best inFIG. 1. Thus, the topsheet 12 and backsheet 14 generally have a portionextending outward from the edges (e.g., the lateral and longitudinaledges) of the absorbent structure 20, thereby forming a narrow andflexible border 16 which encircles the absorbent structure 20.

The configuration of the structure 20 should cover the greatest possiblearea in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment, and suitableexamples of the shape of the absorbent article 10 include a rectangularshape, a dog-bone shape, an hourglass shape, a sinusoidal shape, or anelongated pear shape.

The absorbent article 10 of the present invention can also be providedwith any optional additional components that are known in the art, andmay include side panels, an adhesive fastening element or a removablecover strip or release liner. The absorbent article 10 may be providedwith flexible side panels 40, that can be folded around the crotchportion of the wearers panties, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,876,to Van Tilburg, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. The fastening component 30 serves to attach the absorbentarticle 10 to the undergarment of the wearer, and the removable releaseliner 32 covers the adhesive element 34 in order to keep the adhesivedement 34 from drying out or sticking to a surface other than the crotchportion of the undergarment prior to use. Typically, a fasteningcomponent 30 comprises an adhesive element 34 provided on the outersurface of backsheet 14 and a release liner 32. To apply the napkin toan undergarment, release liner 32 for the adhesive element 34 is removedand the adhesive element 34 secures the absorbent article 10 directly tothe undergarment of the wearer. Generally, absorbent article 10, such ascatamenial pads, are placed in the crotch portion of an undergarment.Other fastening components can be used, including belts, clips and otherdevices known in the art.

Each of the elements of the present invention will now be explained ingreater detail.

FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a topsheet 12 that overlies and is foldedaround other components of article 10, and also has a structure-facingside 12a and a bodyfacing side 12b, which also generally form a portionof the body surface 10a of the absorbent article 10. In use, body-facingside 12b of topsheet 12 is placed closest or next to the skin of thewearer adjacent to the body orifice (e.g., urogenital region) to receivebody exudates. Topsheet 12 should be pervious to exudates and compriserelatively hydrophobic materials in comparison with the other materialsof the absorbent structure 20 so that exudates are permitted to rapidlypenetrate and transfer therethrough toward the structure 20. Thematerial will preferably have no affinity for retaining body exudates inthe area of contact between topsheet 12 and the skin of the wearer. Inaddition to exhibiting good strike through characteristics, the materialshould also reduce the tendency of the absorbent article 10 to "re-wet"(e.g., allowing the exudates to flow back through the topsheet 12 to thewearer's skin) and should be flexible material (e.g., readily conformsto the body shape, compliant, or respond by easily deforming in thepresence of external forces) that is non-irritating to the wearer'sskin. For aesthetic purpose, topsheet 12 should be clean in appearanceand somewhat opaque to hide exudates stored in structure 20.

The topsheet 12 preferably also has a plurality of apertures to permitexudates deposited thereon to pass through to the structure 20. Suchapertures may, but need not, also be present in any extension of thetopsheet 12 may comprise a portion of the side panels 40. If apertured,the topsheet 12 should have from about 5% to about 60% open area,preferably about 25%, and should have a thinness from about 0.01 mm toabout 0.05 min.

Suitable topsheets 12 can be made in part or completely of a number ofdifferent materials, such as, non-woven materials or perforated filmcomprising such materials as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene,polyolefin, rayon, or the like, or of natural fibers such as cottons,foams, or combinations thereof using any suitable process. In non-woventopsheet materials, the fibers are typically bound together by a thermalbinding process, or by a polymeric binder, such as polyacrolate, whichis substantially porous and permits exudates to readily passtherethrough into the underlying absorbent structure 20.

If desired, a suffactant can also be added to the material used intopsheet 12 to render it more hydrophilic which enhances exudatepenetration therethrough. In turn, the use of a surfactant reduces theexudate off flow (e.g., side soiling or end soiling) from the topsheet12. A suitable surfactant should be nonionic, should not irritate theskin of the wearer, and should be evenly spaced and completelydistributed through the material at a distribution of about 0.01 mg ofsuffactant per square centimeter of topsheet 12. A suitable illustrativeexample of a suffactant usable with the present invention is sold byGlyco Chemical, Inc. of Greenwich, Conn., as Pegosperse 200.

Suitable illustrative examples of preferable topsheets 12 includetopsheets made in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos.4,342,314, to Radel et al., and 4,463,045, to Ahr, et al. the disclosureof both patents which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As stated previously, absorbent article 10 further comprises a backsheet14 that assists in preventing the exudates from soiling articles whichcome into contact with the wearer, such as the panty or clothing of thewearer. As shown in FIG. 2, the backsheet 14 is superimposed andco-extensive on its core facing side 14a with at least a portion of thebacking facing side 20b of structure 20. Additionally, backsheet 14 alsohas a garment-facing side 14b which is typically adjacent the garment ofthe wearer, and forms a portion of the garment side 10b of absorbentarticle 10. The structure-facing side 14a can be distinguished from thegarmentfacing side 14b of backsheet 14 because the structure-facing side14a is joined to the topsheet 12 and structure 20. The backsheet 14 canbe constructed from a thin, plastic film of flexible material which issubstantially water impervious, and prevents collected dischargedexudates from moving through and escaping from the absorbent article 10,and soiling the body or clothing of the wearer. Such materials may alsobe impervious to malodorous gases generated by body discharges, which,in turn, reduce the opportunity for discharge gases to escape and becomenoticeable to the wearer or others.

As discussed previously, absorbent article 10 further comprises anabsorbent structure 20 that absorbs and redistributes exudates forstorage while maintaining comfort and non-irritation for the wearer'sskin, and further prevents soiling of the wearer's undergarment, outerclothing, or skin. To function as an effective catamenial pad, theabsorbent structure 20 should generally have a thin and narrowconfiguration, especially in the crotch area, so as to be comfortable,as discussed above, and should have an absorbent capacity depending onthe intended use of the absorbent article while still remainingcomfortable. The structure 20 should be sized to register with thetopsheet 12 and backsheet 14, and may be configured of any suitableshape, and preferably can be a rectangular shape, an elongatedpear-shaped, a sinusoidal shape, a dog-bone shape, or an hourglassshape, as shown in FIG. 1.

So long as the acquisition component 22 and storage component 24 are influid communication with each other, they may be interposed relative toone another in a wide variety of configurations. In any structure, it isdesirable to employ minimal amounts of the components of the absorbentstructure 20 (e.g., the materials of the acquisition component 22 andthe storage component 24) while providing adequate absorption,distribution, and storage of exudates with minimal leakage of theexudates. The selection of materials and interaction of the particularconfiguration of the acquisition and storage components 22 and 24,respectively, utilized in absorbent structure 20 result in an especiallyefficient handling of exudates and, in turn, permits utilization ofminimal amounts of materials in each of their respective components(e.g., 22 and 24).

The acquisition component 22 is preferably positioned in close proximityto topsheet 12 and interposed between topsheet 12 and storage component24. Since the discharge of the body exudates (i.e., vaginal discharge)occur in a particular area, the acquisition component 22 shouldpreferably encompass the urovaginal region for catamenial pads, so as tobe effectively located to acquire and transport body exudates to otherregions of the absorbent structure 20.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, theacquisition component 22 has larger pore sizes relative to the poresizes of the storage component 24 such that the acquisition component 22can acquire body exudates and can also filter and retain (e.g., store)the solid portion of the exudates while transporting (e.g., wicking orpartitioning) the remaining fluid portion of body exudates to thestorage component 24 for redistribution and storage. For components 22and 24 to function as such, the acquisition component 22 should have ahigher percentage of pore sizes larger than the range of pore sizes thestorage component 24.

The acquisition component 22 will preferably comprise a material thatfractionates or filters the solid portion from the fluid portion of thebody exudates. More specifically, particles in menstrual discharges andother vaginal discharges having an effective radii of greater than about5 μm are removed by fractionation or filtering and stored in theacquisition component 22. Optimally, this allows the fluid portion ofthe body exudates to be stored in the storage component 24. Thematerials for use as acquisition component 22 should fractionate orfilter the menstrual discharge as it moves or redistributestherethrough, and retains or stores the fractionated component therein.Large debris in the menstrual discharge, can become trapped or lodged inthe larger capillaries (e.g., 45 to 150 μm radii) of the acquisitioncomponent 22. As the resistance to the flow of exudates increases, thesmaller capillaries (e.g., 5 to 45 μm radii) are required to "pull" thebody exudates toward the storage component 24, and these smallercapillaries trap and retain the smaller particles and debris in theexudates, and thereby "fractionate" which results in that portion beingstored therein. As the body exudates move through the smaller pores,near complete separation of fluid and solid portions occurs, and"visual" fractionation results whereby the exudates change colorappearances.

As exudates move through the acquisition component 22, a certain amountof the exudate should move in a horizontal direction outwardly from theinitial area of contact with the acquisition component 22, which istypically in the crotch region of the article 10. The wicking of theexudates further enhances fractionation of exudates, as discussed above,which in turn further enhances the fluid portion of exudatespartitioning to the material of the storage component 24.

If solid portions of exudates, such as debris and particles, aretransported to the storage component 24, reduction of the storagecapacity of the storage component 24 can result, which, in turn, canlead to premature failure (e.g., soiling of the body or garments of thewearer) of the article (e.g., 10). Specifically, the particles anddebris of exudates can block, clog, cover, coat, or plate the smallsurface pores of the storage component 24. The present inventionprovides an absorbent structure 20 which has an extended usage time byproviding a more complete utilization of the absorbent structure 20 dueto fractionation and storage of the solid portion of exudates in theacquisition component, which enhances exudate distribution in the finecapillary structure of the storage component 24.

Suitable examples of materials that will acquire and trap (e.g., store)non-fluid portions of the body exudates include refined, wet laid,chemically cross-link and stiffened, twisted fibers. As discussed morefully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,642 to Moore, et al., the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference, cuffed fibers can havean average dry fiber twist count of at least about 4.5 twist nodes permilliliters, an average wet fiber twist count of at least about 3.0twist nodes per milliliters, and at least about 0.5 twist nodes permilliliters less than the fiber twist count. Furthermore, the averageisopropyl alcohol retention value is less than about 30%, and, theaverage water retention value is between about 28% and about 50%.Preferred fibers have an average dry fiber curl factor of at least about0.30, and more preferably at least about 0.50. It is to be understoodthat the refining process does not substantially affect these parametersbecause the process is carried out in a manner where there is little orno defibrillation of the original curled and twisted fibers. Rather, theoriginal fibers are, in general, reduced in length, and on the average,have original lengths ranging approximately from about 1.6 mm to about 7mm.

These curled fibers are further refined using techniques disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,334,176 to Buenger et al., the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference. At least about 20% of theresulting fibers, preferably at least about 50%, and more preferablyfrom about 50% to about 90%, and most preferably at least about 90% ofthe refined fibers have an average length which is from about 10% toabout 40% of the length of the original, unrefined curled fibers. Statedin other words, on the average, the unrefined fibers prepared by theprocess will have lengths in the range from about 1.6 millimeters toabout 7 millimeters whereas after refining, the lengths of the refinedcurled cellulosic fibers will be in the average range from about 0.25millimeters to about 1.55 millimeters, and have an average of about 0.1grams to about 0.15 grams of refined fiber per cubic centimeter. Therefined wet laid cellulosic fiber may have about 0.05% kymene, by dryweight therein.

Another suitable material that will store the non-fluid portion of bodyexudates includes a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers andthermoplastic material which are bonded together into a thermally bondedmatrix of the type disclosed in commonly assigned copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/141,156, filed Oct. 21, 1993, in the names ofRichards, et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

Still another suitable material that will store the non-fluid portion ofbody exudates includes a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers,thermoplastic material, and eucalyptus fibers which are bonded togetherin a thermally bonded matrix of the type disclosed in common assigned,copending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/382,817 Case No. 5573filed Feb. 3, 1995, entitled "Fluid Distribution Member for AbsorbentArticles Exhibiting High Suction and High Capacity" in the names ofHomey, et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

The storage component 24 provides an area in and for the storage offluid portion of the body exudates, and need not have an absorbentcapacity much greater than the total amount of exudate to be absorbed.The storage component 24 should have a significant pore volume rangefrom about 5 μm to about 50 μm radii, preferably from about 8 μm toabout 30 μm pore radii, to provide sufficient capillary suction forpartitioning the fluid portion of the body exudates from acquisitioncomponent 22.

Suitable examples of materials useful as storage component 24 include ahydrophilic, flexible structure of interconnected open spaces, such asthe hydrophilic foam structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 toYoung, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference, or other polymeric foams. Other suitable materials include asuperabsorbent polymeric which absorbs fluid to form a hydrogelmaterial, such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,445 toYoung, et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. The superabsorbent polymeric material can be dispersed in afiber matrix (e.g., web or tissue) or can be by in a non-woven sheet.Other known storage components with pore sizes smaller than the rangepore sizes in the acquisition component 22, such as airfelt, peat moss,and the like, also can also be used.

In another preferred embodiment, the acquisition component 22 maycomprise more than one type of material. FIG. 3 illustrates analternative embodiment in which the acquisition component 22 comprises afirst acquisition component 23a and a second fluid acquisition component23b. For optimal absorption efficiency, the first component 23a is aseparate acquisition-only layer that is interposed between the topsheet12 and the second component 23b, and comprises a material having largercell sizes and a lower surface area per volume relative to the secondcomponent 23b. These structural differences between the materialsutilized in first and second component 23a and 23b create a capillarysuction between the first and second components 23a and 23b,respectively, and allow for exudates to be more quickly and efficientlyabsorbed from topsheet 12, fractionated through acquisition component22, and transported into the storage component 24. Suitable materialsuseful as materials in acquisition component 23b have a uniformlydistributed range of capillary pore volume such as having a radii fromabout 5 μm to about 150 μm, and preferably from about 5 μm to about 80μm. Suitable examples of first component 23a include airfelt, nonwovens,air and wet formed cellulosic webs, and chemically stiffenent cellulose.

Having shown and described the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, further adaptions of the absorbent articles of the presentinvention described herein can be accomplished by appropriatemodifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. For example, the absorbent articledoes not have to be constructed as a laminate and can be constructed asa tubed sanitary napkin or even as a tampon for internal body usewhereby the fluid acquisition component of the present invention iswrapped around a suitable storage component. Several such potentialmodifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionshould be considered in terms of the following claims and is understoodnot to be limited in detail, structure and operation shown and describedin its specification and drawings.

We claim:
 1. An absorbent structure for the management of a fluidportion and a solid portion of body exudates emanating from a source,said structure comprising:a) a storage component for storing the fluidportion of the body exudates; and b) an acquisition component interposedbetween said storage component and the source, said acquisitioncomponent comprising a member for fractionating body exudates emanatingfrom the source and for storing the solid portion of the body exudates.2. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein said acquisitioncomponent has a pore size average greater than the pore size average ofsaid storage component.
 3. The absorbent structure of claim 1, whereinsaid acquisition component comprises fibers having pore size radii fromabout 5 μm to about 150 μm.
 4. The absorbent structure of claim 3,wherein said acquisition component comprises cellulosic fibers.
 5. Theabsorbent structure of claim 4, wherein said cellulosic fibers comprisechemically stiffened, curled, and twisted cellulosic fibers.
 6. Theabsorbent structure of claim 5, wherein said acquisition componentcomprises an individualized refined, wet laid curled cellulosic fibers.7. The absorbent structure of claim 6, wherein said refined fiberscomprises at least about 0.05% kymene, by dry weight.
 8. The absorbentstructure of claim 1, wherein said acquisition component comprises amixture of cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonded togetherin a thermally bonded matrix.
 9. The absorbent structure of claim 1,wherein said storage component comprises a flexible, hydrophilicpolymeric material.
 10. The absorbent structure of claim 1, wherein saidstorage component comprises a superabsorbent polymer which absorbs bodyexudates to form a swollen hydrogel material.
 11. An absorbent articlefor the management of a fluid portion and solid portion of bodyexudates, emanating from a source, said article comprising:a) abacksheet; b) a storage component interposed between said backsheet andthe source, said storage component for storing the fluid portion of thebody exudates; and c) an acquisition component interposed between thesource and said storage component, said acquisition component comprisinga member for fractionating the body exudates emanating from the sourceand for storing the solid portion of the body exudates.
 12. Theabsorbent structure of claim 11, wherein said acquisition component hasa pore size average greater than the pore size average of said storagecomponent.
 13. The absorbent structure of claim 11, wherein saidacquisition component comprises fibers having pore size radii from about5 μm to about 150 μm.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 13, whereinsaid acquisition component comprises cellulosic fibers.
 15. Theabsorbent article of claim 14, wherein said cellulose fibers comprisechemically stiffened, twisted, and curled cellulosic fibers.
 16. Theabsorbent article of claim 15, wherein said refined fibers comprise atleast about 0.05% kymene, by dry weight.
 17. The absorbent article ofclaim 11, wherein said acquisition component comprises a mixture ofhydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material bonding thefibers together in a thermally bonded matrix.
 18. The absorbent articleof claim 11, wherein said storage component comprises a flexible,hydrophilic polymeric material.
 19. The absorbent structure of claim 11,wherein said storage component comprises a superabsorbent polymer, whichabsorbs body exudates to form a swollen hydrogel material.
 20. Anabsorbent article for the management of a fluid portion and a solidportion of body exudates emanating from a source said articlecomprising:a) a backsheet; b) a storage component interposed betweensaid backsheet and the source, said storage component comprising ahydrophilic flexible polymeric structure of interconnected open cellsfor storing the fluid portion of body exudates; c) an acquisitioncomponent interposed between the source and said storage component, saidacquisition component comprising individualized curled cellulosic fibersthat are mechanically altered from an unrefined state to a refined statefor fractionating body exudates emanating from the source and forstoring the solid portion of the body exudates; and d) a topsheetinterposed between the source and said acquisition component.